Chapter III: Inglis, Age 15—The Eastern Front (3)
“Nnn...ugh...”
When Rafael’s consciousness returned, he could make out the hazy image of a round peephole-like window. Through it, he saw only the color blue. “The sky...? I’m on a ship?! Wait, what happened to the Prismer?!”
Then came the realization that he had to be back aboard Ambassador Theodore’s ship, which served as the Paladins’ base for this operation, staring through a porthole. The last thing he remembered was—during the battle with Rochefort—the birdlike Prismer had broken free of its ice and fired countless blasts of light.
“Ah, Rafael! Thank goodness, you’re awake!” Eris exclaimed.
“Are you feeling okay? Anything hurt?” Ripple asked. They were both in the cabin with him. They’d probably been looking after him.
“I’m fine. Thanks for protecting me.” They were worried about him, but they were in a sorry state themselves. Ripple’s neck and arm were bandaged, and Eris wore an eye patch. They had both leaped in front to guard him from the Prismer’s attack. It was thanks to them that he was safe and sound.
“We’ll be fine. Hieral menaces are tough! Wait a little bit, and we’ll be all better!” Ripple cheered.
“Yes, please don’t concern yourself over us,” Eris agreed. “We look a lot worse than we feel. We’re just covering our wounds so those around us aren’t worried. They have no effect on our mobility.”
Rafael paused, uncertain. “Oh...thank you both. Er, how long have I been unconscious?”
“You’ve been out for...around seven days?” Ripple said.
“Yes, that sounds about right,” Eris agreed.
“A whole week?! So long away from my duties—with the Prismer active?! What happened after I passed out?!”
“The Prismer is advancing toward the capital. It doesn’t seem to be in any hurry, so we’re staying in its path, staging a slow retreat while we keep an eye on it.”
“So far, there aren’t any cities in its path,” Ripple chipped in. “So I guess maybe there isn’t likely to be much significant damage...”
“I...I see,” Rafael said. “But the Prismer is like a mass of Prism Flow—are magicite beasts created by that overflowing into the surrounding area and attacking towns and villages?”
“Yes, that’s been happening,” Eris confirmed. “The Paladins have split up into a number of squads and are clearing the magicite beasts reaching the villages near the Prismer’s path under Prince Wayne and Ambassador Theodore’s command.”
“I see... Are our forces sufficient?”
“Things are okay,” Ripple said. “For now, we...kind of have backup?”
“What do you mean by ‘backup,’ Lady Ripple?” Rafael asked.
“The Steelblood Front. They seem to be hunting the magicite beasts that the Prismer generates—thinning their numbers.”
“The Steelblood Front?! Is...is that okay?!”
“‘Any port in a storm,’ the prince and the ambassador agreed,” Eris pointed out. “I was a bit conflicted at first, but I can see their point. We took heavy losses in that last fight, so the Paladins alone are insufficient to protect the people.”
“All right,” Rafael said. “Then I guess we can count on them for now—Chris and Rani said that they have a hieral menace too. And there’s Leon...”
“Yes...” Eris agreed.
“See? It’ll be fine!” Ripple said. “We’ve gotta look forward, not back!” She couldn’t help but try to keep everyone’s spirits up, and Rafael found himself smiling and nodding.
“Yes, Lady Ripple! By the way, what became of him...of Rochefort?”
“I don’t know... He got blown away by the same attack that got us, and I didn’t see after. No clue where the rest of Venefic’s forces ended up either.”
“Wielding a transformed hieral menace like that, there’s no real question about what happened to him,” Eris pointed out. “I assume their forces fell back to their own lands after losing their general.”
“I see,” Rafael said. “I wonder why he choice to do something so suicidal?”
“I don’t understand. He didn’t even seem to be in a clear state of mind,” Eris agreed.
“Yeah...he was a mess. That outburst of his probably woke up the Prismer,” Ripple said.
“I wonder why he was able to receive a hieral menace’s blessing...” Rafael said. “I thought unless their hearts were as one, she couldn’t transform into a weapon...”
“That would suggest their hieral menace accepted his choice of actions,” Eris pointed out.
“It didn’t seem that way to me,” Rafael said.
“I’m not sure, since she’d transformed by the time I arrived, but...”
“Same here,” Ripple said. “What’s she like?”
“Her name is Arles. She’s a demihuman like you, Ripple, but she seemed completely different, more melancholy...” Rafael explained.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ripple asked. “Are you saying I’m too flippant?”
“Ah, er...! It’s just... I thought most demihumans had an upbeat personality like yours.”
“Well, that depends on the person, you know! But...oh, right! Her telepathy!”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Remember how I told you I heard a voice no one else did when Eris and I went to check on the Prismer? That must have been that Arles girl’s telepathy. We’re both demihumans, so it must have been—”
“Oh, right, the way you communicate.”
Previously, Ripple’s telepathy had been used to lure the magicite beasts—which had once been demihumans—into a trap. Here, though, it was functioning as it should, letting them communicate even at a distance.
“Yeah. I thought I was the sole demihuman left, so I didn’t realize. So there is another demihuman hieral menace...”
“You heard Lady Arles’s voice? What did she have to say?”
“She wanted us to run away...like she was worried about us.”
“So Lady Arles was concerned about what Rochefort was doing?”
“Yeah. At least, I think so.”
“I don’t get it...” Rafael slumped and shook his head.
“Huh?”
“What do you mean?” Eris asked.
“Then why...?” Rafael continued. “Why could Rochefort transform her into a weapon? That’s supposed to be the ultimate power, only available when one’s heart unites with that of a hieral menace—if she was worried about you, Ripple, I can’t see how their wills would align.”
“Wills aligning isn’t the only way hearts can be as one,” Eris pointed out.
“That’s right,” Ripple agreed. “But it’s kind of sad. She must still be young... I don’t mean physically—I mean here.” Ripple patted her chest, to indicate what lay below—her heart.
“Huh? What do you mean?” Rafael asked.
The two hieral menaces were silent, a bit taken aback by Rafael’s naivete in this department. He was an appealing young man—proper, kind, compassionate, self-sacrificing, the picture of a hero—but so naive.
“Anyway, let’s leave it at that,” Rafael said. “There’s no point in dwelling on it—we’ll never see Rochefort again. I’m more concerned about our own situation.”
“Yeah. I wish I’d gotten to talk more with Arles, though...” Ripple said.
“Hieral menaces don’t die,” Eris said. “Someday, we may yet again face her and her new holy knight.”
“Yeah, but she must be having such a hard time right now...”
“I’m sure she is. However painful it is, though, only she can pull herself out of it.” Eris and Ripple nodded to each other, eyes downcast, as if remembering something.
“By the way, Lady Eris, where are we now?” Rafael asked.
“We’re above Ahlemin. If the Prismer’s course remains the same, it will pass by here—where it spent so long resting. We’ve judged that it is likely to make another visit.”
“I don’t really know how Prismers think, but maybe it took a liking to the place?” Ripple suggested.
“So...the decisive battle takes place when it arrives here,” Rafael said.
“Yes,” Eris confirmed. “At least, that’s what the prince and the ambassador have planned. If it slips by here, the Prismer might reach the capital. We need to deal with it before that. We won’t just have the Paladins; the feudal levies are being gathered in Ahlemin as well.”
“I think the kids from the knights’ academy are coming too,” Ripple said. “I saw Miriela dropping in to see Wayne just now.”
“Oh, hello, you all! Did you need something?” The door to the cabin cracked open, and Principal Miriela poked her face in.
“Huh? Miriela?” Ripple asked.
“Eavesdropping is rude,” Eris commented.
“Oh, sorry! I happened to hear my name right as I got here!” Miriela belatedly knocked on the door as she spoke.
“Ha ha ha... Good to see you, Miriela,” Rafael said. When he was a student at the academy, he’d spent much of his time training under her, who at the time had already graduated and was a holy knight cadet. They’d maintained a friendship since then.
“Rafael...I’d heard you were unconscious, recovering from your battle wounds. I’m glad you are all right!”
“Yes, Lady Eris and Lady Ripple took good care of me.”
“Excellent. Eris, Ripple, how are your injuries?”
“Fine, fine, I’m almost healed!” Ripple responded.
“Yes, mine as well,” Eris agreed.
“Miriela, I’m sorry that the students at the academy have had to be mobilized,” Rafael apologized. “It’s all due to my lack of nerve...”
“What are you saying?” Miriela protested. “Of course you didn’t— Anyway. I’ve heard the enemy is wielding a hieral menace as a weapon against other humans. I’m glad you’re still safe, having faced that. What comes next hasn’t been decided yet.”
“Yes... By the way, are Rani and Chris coming along as well?”
“No, they’re on a special mission to Alcard in the north, and are still there.”
Eris and Ripple had spoken to Prince Wayne and Ambassador Theodore about summoning Inglis and Rafinha while Rafael slept, but it seemed they had made a serious miscalculation. Had the girls still been in the capital, they would have been here already—but having been sent as special envoys to Alcard, they might not arrive before the Prismer did. If the Prismer beat them to Ahlemin, Eris and Ripple would have to do their utmost to hold it off as long as possible.
“I see... I’d like to finish this before they’re dragged into it...” He was worried not only about the direct threat of Inglis and Rafinha being drawn into the fight with the Prismer, but also the chance that they might arrive after his victory but witness his passing. If possible, he wanted to shield them from both. Though they might not agree or understand...
“N-No, Rafael! You mustn’t get impatient! Even if we can’t defeat the Prismer, we might still change its course and chase it away! We’ll do our best to make that happen!” Miriela insisted.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“But if it does come to that, if there is no choice...we can do nothing but rely on you. I’m sorry, Rafael. I have a special-class Rune, but I’m pushing this all on you. I’m so sorry!” Miriela bowed her head deeply. Normally, she was calm and easygoing. But now, her voice trembled, and she seemed likely to burst into tears.
“No. We each have our place...and I accept mine. You too are important for our future. Build up the strength that will protect this land—I believe Prince Wayne was right when he chose you to train a new generation of knights, armed with new technology from Highland.”
“But I’ve always worried I was just running away and— No, sorry. This is no time for my grumbles. Not with what’s weighing on you.”
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. When the time comes, I’ll do what I must. No matter what.” Rafael smiled and nodded to Miriela.
“Rafael, you really are an amazing person. Looking at you, I feel like I’m a little kid... I’m ashamed of myself.”
A holy knight was the country’s—humanity’s—last hope. A hero, shining in glory for all to see—though not as glorious as proclaimed, due to the consequences of wielding a hieral menace kept secret from the public.
Even as a holy knight faced magicite beasts, they must also steel their will, hone their beliefs, to face the reaper which stalked them. Their reality was far starker than it appeared to outsiders. Yet, thrust into this, Rafael still maintained the bearing of that hero. It shocked Miriela—yet, at the same time, left her with a deep respect for him.
“R-Really? Sorry...”
“No, you don’t need to apologize.”
“It’s okay, Miriela,” Eris interjected. “It isn’t just you. Sometimes we catch ourselves feeling the same way.”
“Yeah, we’re impressed by him too. His parents brought him up well.” Ripple nodded.
Rafael laughed. “Well, Rani got the same upbringing.”
“I think she’s a very nice girl,” Miriela said. “Sometimes a bit moody, but with a good heart.”
“Mm... You’re right,” Ripple agreed. “A strong sense of justice, yet kind.”
“She has a strong moral compass,” Eris said. “She reminds me of you.”
“Though I guess she does kind of pick up a reputation for being a bit much from hanging out with Inglis so much,” Miriela added. “She definitely eats a bit much.”
“Maybe it’s more that Inglis is manageable because Rafinha keeps an eye on her,” Ripple suggested.
“Yes, I agree. I don’t understand that girl... Not her power, not how she thinks, not anything about her,” Eris said.
“She looks like the daintiest, mooost precious little thing, but deep inside there’s a demon trying to get out,” Miriela agreed.
“I wonder how she turned out that way...” Eris pondered.
But it was precisely that inexplicable power, that fearless fighting spirit, that they needed right now. There was no way to defeat a Prismer other than for a holy knight to wield a hieral menace, and after that battle, the knight’s life would be drained away no matter what. Eris wanted to break that cycle, that recurring tragedy. If she did, Rafael’s fate would change. He was too young to die.
Rafael couldn’t help but laugh wryly. “Ha ha ha, Chris’s parents aren’t that different from mine.”
“Anyway, I should be off now. The students I brought with me are waiting.” Miriela bid adieu to Rafael and the others and stepped out into the ship’s hold. There, the academy’s best students awaited her return. At their head was a senior with a special-class Rune, a cadet holy knight—Silva.
“Principal! How is Sir Rafael doing?”
“He’d just come to as I arrived. Don’t worry, he’s doing fine.”
“I see. I wish I could have greeted him as well.” To Silva, Rafael was a respected role model—a man who embodied everything he hoped to be as a holy knight.
In the past, Miriela had invited Rafael to the knights’ academy for special training, and Silva’s face had lit up as he asked Rafael for a match. Surely, Silva was now looking forward to what he could learn from watching Rafael in action against the Prismer; he did not yet know the truth of the relation between holy knights and hieral menaces. Unfortunately, she couldn’t talk about such complicated matters with him in the room, so she’d asked him to wait for her to check on Rafael herself.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want anything to interfere with his recovery. But instead, I’ve brought someone you were missing even more!”
Ripple peeked out from behind Miriela. “Hey there! How’s everyone doing?” Her mood was completely inappropriate for the situation—and Miriela was glad that she’d chosen to ignore that and brighten things up anyway.
“Lady Ripple!” Silva gasped. “Yes, I’ve been able to train hard without any problems, thanks to you and the others defending our country!”
“Well, we’re in this mess because we haven’t managed to protect it... Sorry for dragging you all into this.”
“No, if I can help in any way, I’d be happy to! If there are any worries about Sir Rafael’s condition, I can fight alongside you in his stead! Just ask!”
Miriela was impressed by his determination and thought a day might come when he would fight alongside Ripple—but not today. At the very least, he needs to know the truth, accept it, and still be determined to fight. Until then, if Rafael falls and a replacement is needed, I’ll fight alongside Eris and Ripple. A teacher does not sacrifice her students. Even if it means ignoring Prince Wayne’s orders, I will not bend on that, she swore to herself.
“Huh? What’s wrong, Principal Miriela?” Silva asked. “You look pale.”
“Oh, it’s nothing!” Miriela insisted. “I’m fine!”
“Well, I’m gonna try my hardest to make sure you don’t have to fight, so don’t be so hard on yourself. Just cheer us on!” Ripple patted Silva’s shoulder.
“Y-Yes! I’ll try my hardest! Even Yua is taking this seriously, so of course I can too!”
Silva seemed unusually tense at the physical contact from Ripple. His words were true, though. Yua was waiting patiently rather than either complaining or napping; she was sitting by the hangar’s open bay doors, tapping her feet on the hull outside while staring blankly.
“Oh, wow, you’re right! Yua isn’t sleeping or trying to leave! What a good girl!” Ripple faux-gasped. This was an anomaly in itself, but in any case, Ripple approached Yua and called out to her. “Long time no see, Yua! How’ve you been?”
“Lady Dog-Ears? Good afternoon. Your ears and tail look so cute today.”
“Aha ha, thanks—I don’t really pay attention to them. They’re just something I have. Anyway, sorry for dragging you all the way out here, you know? But we need to all work together for this fight.”
“Yes. It’s okay. I’ll do my best.” Yua was expressionless, but she seemed full of motivation for whatever reason.
“Even you, Yua?! Miriela, Silva, did you hear that?!”
“Y-Yes... What’s gotten into you, Yua?” Principal Miriela asked.
“Yua, I’m glad to hear that, but things here will be a bit different from normal,” Silva said.
“I’m feeling good right now. Being here feels nostalgic,” Yua said.
“You’re feeling nostalgic, Yua?” Ripple asked.
“Yes. Maybe it reminds me of my dad?”
“‘Maybe’?”
“I don’t really remember him...”
“It’d be nice if you met him again someday, right?” Ripple said.
“Yes.” Yua nodded nonchalantly and began to tap her feet again as she looked down at the town below. “Hmm-hm-hmmmm... ♪” She really did seem to be feeling good, as a faint hum escaped her impassive lips.
◆◇◆
“Hmm-hm-hmmmm... ♪”
The brisk wind caressed their cheeks as they looked out over a magnificent view of a clear blue sky with lush, verdant fields below. Sitting by the hangar’s bay doors, enjoying such a landscape, dragon-meat skewers were especially delicious. The meat was a souvenir for Rafael, but they hadn’t promised he’d get all of it. There was still plenty left, so for now they could experience the sights and the meat together.
Rafinha, wearing the Steelblood Front’s women’s uniform, had a smile on her face. “Mmm! A good view goes so well with a good meal!”
“It really does, Rani. I think we’re almost to the capital,” Inglis replied, wearing the same outfit.
“I’d never eaten dragon meat before, but this definitely is delicious.” Reddas had no complaints, having partaken of some with them.
“Well, sure, it’s delicious, but...”
“I’m not sure how she can be so calm when she’s about to go fight a Prismer...”
“Yeah, I’m not sure about this...”
The Steelblood Front fighters seemed a bit anxious. Perhaps they’d lost their nerve with Leon having disembarked to handle other duties. But those duties were equally vital. They could not object.
“By the reports we’ve received, the Prismer is still on its way to Ahlemin—thus, we need to make sure to stay well fed,” Inglis said. “An army marches on its stomach, after all.”
“And so do you, Chris?” Rafinha asked.
“No, that doesn’t apply to me. If I stopped fighting just because I was hungry, I’d be missing out on life.”
“Ha ha ha...well, I think you’re the only exception.”
“So bold as always, Lady Inglis,” Reddas said. “If only you, rather than I, could be captain of the Royal Guard!”
“Looking at her personality, her character, her demeanor, I’m not sure how you could come to that conclusion,” Rafinha remarked.
“Those qualities are exactly why! To crush under her feet those who would trample over us! Seeing such violence done by such a lovely figure is truly a thrill! More than even a hieral menace, she is a goddess!”
Rafinha could manage nothing but a dry, nonplussed laugh. “Ha ha ha, you’re, uh, getting so into this...”
“Is everyone in the Royal Guard like this?” Inglis couldn’t forget how, before she’d left for Alcard, the Royal Knights had attended the Weismar troupe’s play in the capital and cheered, loudly and hoarsely, for her as a group. It had been quite embarrassing.
Nonetheless, she let out a sudden announcement.
“I think I may want to take you up on that offer though.”
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